In Bhagavad Gita 9.12, Krishna says that those of vain hopes, vain actions and vain knowledge, without discernment, take on a deluding nature that is fiendish and demonic.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मोघाशा मोघकर्माणो
मोघज्ञाना विचेतसः
राक्षसीमासुरीं चैव
प्रकृतिं मोहिनीं श्रिताः ॥ ९-१२ ॥
moghāśā moghakarmāṇo
moghajñānā vicetasaḥ
rākṣasīmāsurīṃ caiva
prakṛtiṃ mohinīṃ śritāḥ
English transliteration moghaashaa moghakarmaano
moghajnaanaa vichetasah
raakshaseemaasureem chaiva
prakritim mohineem shritaah ॥ 9.12 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Of vain hopes, vain actions and vain knowledge, senseless, they take refuge in a deluding nature that is fiendish and demonic.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मोघाशाः moghāśāḥ | of vain hopes mogha (vain) + āśāḥ (hopes) |
| मोघकर्माणः moghakarmāṇaḥ | of vain actions mogha (vain) + karmāṇaḥ (actions) |
| मोघज्ञानाः moghajñānāḥ | of vain knowledge mogha (vain) + jñānāḥ (knowledge) |
| विचेतसः vicetasaḥ | senseless |
| राक्षसीम् rākṣasīm | fiendish |
| आसुरीम् āsurīm | demonic |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | indeed |
| प्रकृतिम् prakṛtim | nature |
| मोहिनीम् mohinīm | deluding |
| श्रिताः śritāḥ | taking refuge |
Word-wise Chanting
- mo–ghā–śā mo–gha–kar–mā–ṇo 8 syllables mo-ghaa-shaa mo-gha-kar-maa-no
- mo–gha–jñā–nā vi–ce–ta–saḥ | 8 syllables mo-gha-jnaa-naa vi-che-ta-sah
- rā–kṣa–sī–mā–su–rīṃ cai–va 8 syllables raa-ksha-see-maa-su-reem chai-va
- pra–kṛ–tiṃ mo–hi–nīṃ śri–tāḥ || 9-12 8 syllables pra-kri-tim mo-hi-neem shri-taah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 9 Verse 12
Context
Krishna describes the condition of those who disregard him (continuing 9.11).
Meaning
Those who turn away from the Divine have mogha, futile, hopes, actions and knowledge. Their hopes do not bring lasting fulfilment, their actions bind rather than free, and their knowledge does not illuminate. They become vicetas, without true discernment, and are drawn into a deluding, self-centred nature.
Without a higher orientation, even great effort and learning can be empty. The verse warns that life without the sacred can become busy but hollow.
In Practice
Ask of one major goal in your life: will it bring lasting fulfilment, or is it a vain hope?
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 9: Raja Vidya Raja Guhya Yoga (The Royal Knowledge and Royal Secret). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.